State Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, has dropped out of next week’s Republican primary for Pennsylvania governor and endorsed fellow candidate Lou Barletta.
“Lou Barletta is a hardworking former mayor and congressman who supports the America First Agenda,” Corman said in a statement on Thursday. “He’s a tough, experienced and principled leader who can win in the fall. … There’s a tremendous opportunity to do something that we’ve only done once in the last two decades — elect a Republican as governor of Pennsylvania. The only thing that will prevent this is if we nominate someone who cannot possibly win in the fall, and that’s a real possibility with nine candidates in this race.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Republican insiders have made an effort to head off front-running state Sen. Doug Mastriano, whom they fear will lose to Democrat Josh Shapiro on the general election, by urging lower-polling candidates to drop out an endorse an alternative in the May 17 primary.
So far, only Corman has done so.
“The time has come for me to show leadership and support someone who can win in November – and that’s my friend, Lou Barletta,” Corman said. “For the greater good of our party, and for the people of Pennsylvania, I hope my fellow candidates will join me.”
Barletta, a former U.S. representative and Hazleton mayor, has polled second and third behind Mastriano in recent weeks. In a recent survey by the conservative-leaning Trafalgar Group, Mastriano led with 28%, followed by Barletta at 18%, Dave White at 15% and Bill McSwain at 14%. Corman was fifth at 5.3%.
A Franklin & Marshall College poll released last week had Mastriano at 20%, McSwain at 12%, Barletta at 11% and White at 8%.
Corman previously filed paper work April 12 to withdraw his candidacy, reversing course later in the day to remain in the race until Thursday. He said at the time he was swayed by a phone call with former President Donald Trump who encouraged him to continue his campaign.
“He encouraged me to keep fighting, and that’s what I’m going to do – keep fighting for the people of Pennsylvania,” Corman said in April.
The Centre County native announced his candidacy in November, emphasizing his legislative experience and ability to break through gridlock.
He has served in the state Senate since 1999, after he won election to the seat previously held by his father, J. Doyle Corman, for 21 years.
Corman rose to Senate majority leader, the No. 2 post in the chamber, in 2015 and was elected by GOP members to the top-ranking position of president pro tempore in January 2021.
He chose not to simultaneously run for reelection in the Senate, meaning his time in office will come to a close at the end of this year.
“Campaigning for governor has been a tremendous honor. It’s been a true joy getting to meet and talk with so many good people — good Pennsylvanians,” Corman said.
